Chapter Text
Chapter 1 – I Grieve
Lyall was fifteen when he first shifted. It wasn’t as painful as he thought, quite uncomfortable yes, but considering his bones where being broken and rearranged the pain was tolerable. It helped that his mother, father, and two brothers sat by his side the whole time. They took turns massaging his sore muscles and keeping him hydrated. His mother sat near his head and wiped the sweat from his burning cheeks while singing Lyall’s favorite song, Edelweiss, softly in his ear. As the process was nearing completion, Lyall held onto his father’s hand tightly until his fingers finally turned to paws. Then, his father held his paw and stroked gently as soft fur began to spout. The entire change took a total of four hours and his family, his pack, had never left his side.
After the transformation, his body was covered in soft white, brownish-orange, and black fur. His belly was completely white in contrast to the burnt orange and black streaks, which covered his entire back, head, and legs. All four paws where as black as pitch and gave the illusion that Lyall had decided to keep his shoes on during the change.
The pain had completely receded and now he could hear his packs voices whispering above him. Lyall opened his eyes for the first time as a wolf. Everything was brighter and more pronounced, so much that he could see the river that ran around their village, which was at least a mile and a half away. The rabbits and deer grazing in the woods now had a color trail, a scent, that was now visible and traceable to his wolf nose. Not only could he track the animals, but a nagging prey, hunt, chase, was present and urging him to bolt into the forest.
He snapped out of his primal instinct when he heard his mother’s voice. “Oh my beautiful baby Omega,” she cooed and ran her hand through the dark orange fur on his ears. Wow that feels good. Lyall leaned into the warm touch of his mother’s hand and pinned back his ears in a silent plea for more.
“I think he likes it,” the low voice of his twenty year old Alpha brother laughed, “look at his tail.”
Lyall hadn’t realized but his small tail was thumping on the ground in pleasure. Embarrassed, he ducked his head from the pleasure’s source and stood up on four strong little legs.
“Oh shut up Lucas,” came his father’s voice from somewhere behind him.
“If I recall correctly brother, you roll over and beg for your belly to be scratched at least once a day when you’re shifted.” Came the voice of Jason, Lucas’ Alpha twin brother. Lucas scowled but no more came from the young Alpha wolf.
Lyall turned around and looked up at his father with big brown eyes. He looked down at his paws confused on what to do next, shuffled a bit, and sniffed the air. What is that smell?
His father smiled down at his youngest pup and slowly put out his hand towards the wolf’s nose urging him to sniff. Lyall’s instincts took over and he knew exactly what to do. He needed to scent his new pack. His father Alpha Male smelled nutty? Lyall laughed at the irony well I guess he can be a bit crazy. It was mostly pecan but there was a woody wild smell mixed in as well.
Lyall sniffed his father’s wrist to find more of the woody scent. Pecan trees! His father smelled of pecan trees and love? Does love have a smell? Whatever the smell his Alpha male was emitting made Lyall feel like he was wrapped up in a blanket and protected from the world. Yes, love. After the scenting was complete, he licked twice across the callous knuckles then dipped his head in submission, causing his father to place a hand on his nape and squeeze reassuringly. The Alpha leant forward and pressed his cheek on his pup’s head and whispered, “My sweet, sweet boy. I am so proud of you.”
Once his father let go, Lyall turned to his mother who was still sitting on her knees with her hand stretched out to her young pup. He slowly padded over to the Alpha Female and rubbed his nose across her fingers and inhaled deeply. Her smell was sweet, almost sugary. Maple! But there was also that underlying wilderness smell his father had towards her wrist. The sweet smell of maple sap invaded his snout as he sniffed his mother’s palm. Put them together and they make a pecan pie. Lyall mused. I guess if their smells are compatible, then that’s why they make such a strong bonded pair.
He let his mother’s loving scent wash over him, then, just as he had done with his Alpha Male, Lyall licked her wrist and lowered his snout. She stroked her hand though the fur on his throat and bent down to press her forehead to his muzzle. “Good boy,” she praised and placed her other hand to pet the orange fur on his nape. “I love you such much my little cub, my precious Omega.”
They embraced each other for what seemed like hours but he whimpered softly when she pulled away with a small kiss to his cold black nose.
His brothers and father chuckled at his cry but each knew exactly how he felt. To have the loving touch from a pack member was like being warmed from the inside.
“Awww, come on. Don’t you wanna scent your big brother Lucas?” Lyall turned to face his two brothers, who were also kneeling in the grass. Looking between the twins, he decided to give into his mischievous nature and walked over to Jason, dramatically swishing his tail behind him.
“Cheeky Omega,” Lucas said with a huff but there was no malice behind the words, only amusement and pride at how well he had trained his little brother to be a smart-ass.
Although Jason and Lucas where twins, they were completely different. Jason was, what Lucas liked to call, the three R ’s of dullness: reserved, respectful, and responsible. Lucas, according to Jason, was a childish Alpha who didn’t possess a responsible bone in his body.
Jason smelled like their father, a bit nutty with a hint of wood. However, the younger Alpha had a hint of smoke layered behind the wilderness scent. Once Lyall had gotten his fill of his brother’s scent he licked but only bowed his head for five seconds then returned to meet his brother’s gaze.
It was understood in every pack dynamic that the parent Alphas or Omegas where the leaders of their pack. All offspring’s apart of the pack, whether Alpha or Omega, where considered equals. However, in strong stable packs, respect to elder siblings was practiced but not a requirement. Lyall loved and respected both of his brothers and had no hesitation in his polite bow of submission.
Jason smiled in appreciation and ran his large fingers over the Omega’s snout. “Welcome to the pack little Omega.” Little? Lyall gave a playful nip towards his brother’s fingers at the comment and the Alpha laughed wholeheartedly.
Turning to the last pack mate, who had a goofy grin on his face, Lyall began sniffing the presented hand. Like the other members, Lucas smelled of tree wood but with a hint of hazelnut. Oh wow! His scent was drowned out by a wave of love and pride almost as strong as his mother and father. I had no idea. Lyall whimpered again and began licking the knuckles in front of him to convey his new understanding and reciprocated love.
A blush came across the Alpha’s face. “Bah, don’t be such a lovey-dovey Omega.” Jason scolded but he didn’t pull his hand away. Lyall dipped his head for a few moments and then watched as his stubborn brother did the same.
“Lucas, you know how important this is for him right now.” came the stern voice from his father. Lucas rolled his eyes and gave a dramatic put upon sigh.
Lucas knew full well that new wolves where very vulnerable during this time and for a family to build a strong bond it is important to praise and welcome newly shifted wolves into the pack. Omegas needed touch and Alphas responded best to verbal praise, but both needed to sense love and acceptance from their pack members. It is especially important during the first three years of a wolf’s shift. For it is in those three years that the wolf’s subconscious and the human’s subconscious are slowly being melded together. Once the wolf completes their twelfth shift of the third year the wolf and human brain will be one and the wolf behaviors will be more noticeable in their human form.
“Ugh. Alright, but only because you’re so damn cute with your little black feet and red head.” Lucas smiled and the rest of the family laughed. The young Alpha ran his hands through his little brothers coat. To everyone’s surprise, he leaned forward and wrapped his long arm around the puppy’s body and placed his head near the ribcage. A long embrace that made Lyall feel whole.
Before Lyall could react, Lucas let go of him and jumped to his feet. “Okay, can we hunt now? It is going to be so much easier with an Omega nose at our deposal.” He emphasized which Omega, I’m the only Omega you moron, by poking Lyall on his nose.
“As if that would even help. You couldn’t catch a turtle if it was sleeping,” laughed Jason as he stood up and pushed his brother. Lyall could smell the energy and adrenaline beginning to pump through his brothers like electricity in the air.
“That is why we do not hunt turtles my dear twin. Or have you forgotten last hunt when I took down that 200 pound deer!”
“It was not 200 pounds! Bambi was bigger you-“ the argument was cut short by a growl from their Alpha Male.
“My boys, this is your brother’s first hunt. He is an Omega, so he will track for our pack now.” Yes, yes, yes! Hunt, let’s go I know where they are! Lyall tuned out his father’s instruction as he looked towards the forest and saw at least a dozen different color trails leading to delicious prey. Suddenly, a sharp scent of anger hit his nose and he lowered his body and pulled his tail in between his legs.
“Shhh, shhh, my little cub,” his mother crouched beside him and petted soothingly upon his neck. “He’s just excited Samuel,” she glared up at her husband who already had a look of regret upon his face for frightening his youngest. “Don’t scare him so. He is an Omega, you know how strongly he can sense your emotions and I’m sure he can smell every living thing it that forest.”
His father sat down cross-legged in front of Lyall and scratched behind his years to calm him. Lyall stuck his little tongue out and licked the Alpha Male’s palm. Please don’t be sad Papa. “It is my fault Lyall. It has been so long since your brothers have changed and the only Omega I have seen hunt is my own Mother. I have forgotten how overwhelming everything can be until you learn to control and focus your improved senses. Will you accept my apology little one?”
Lyall heard one of his brothers stifle a snort of laughter. Lucas of course. Then heard Jason shove his immature twin. Their mother shot them a look of ‘do I need to come over there?’
Yes Papa! Lyall licked the hand enthusiastically, then yipped playfully and rolled over to present his snow white belly to his Alpha Male.
“That’s my boy,” there was pride in his father’s voice and it made Lyall’s tail and whole back half wag uncontrollable. This time he wasn’t ashamed and rolled back over to wait patiently for his Alpha to plan the hunt. “Okay, Lyall you will lead us to our prey. I think rabbit stew tonight sounds quite lovely tonight. Do you agree, my Kathrine?” Samuel turned to his wife, who was still stoking their pup’s fur.
“That sounds delicious. Do you think you can hunt us down some rabbits my little cub?”
Duh. There are twenty within the first half mile into the forest. Can we go? Can we go? Lyall jumped up and barked happily in affirmative.
“What? I was hoping we could have him track down one of those grizzlies we saw last month.” Lucas pouted but it was cut short as his father wrapped an arm around the young Alpha’s shoulders and pulled him close in a possessive hug.
“And you my little Alpha son, if you cannot keep that smart mouth of yours in check you will being staying back here to cut up vegetables for our rabbit stew.” Samuel nipped at his young son’s ear in a playful but still dominant gesture.
“Yes Papa,” the young man said lowering his head in submission. “But can I take point with Lyall tonight? Pleeeease!” Lucas rubbed the top of his head against his Alpha’s throat.
“You are too spoiled for your own good; but yes, you may hunt ahead with your brother. You must keep him safe my son he still has much to learn about the hunt. I am counting on you.”
Lucas licked his father’s cheek, grinned, and pulled away. “Can we go now? It will be dark soon.” Without waiting for an answer both boys began taking off their clothes to prepare for shift.
Katherine and Samuel looked at each other, nodded, and began to strip as well.
It took no time at all before all four members of the pack shifted into their wolf form. Lyall felt a hint of jealousy at the way they could change on demand now, but there was also excitement that in three years he could do the same. Once he became a mature wolf and his human mind was one with his wolf’s.
It was a bit intimidating of how much larger his brothers and parents wolves where. He was still a puppy of about 30 pounds, whereas his father was about 115. In another year though, Lyall hoped, he would be at least 60 pounds.
Katherine and Jason both had black fur, but the later had a grey patch starting to form upon her head and down the nape. Samuel was a mix of red and grey fur with piercing yellow eyes. Lucas, again the oddball of the family, was white with a few black spots along his spine.
My pack. His father strode over to him and began sniffing and scenting his youngest pup. Lyall received a lick on his cheek and then the same process was repeated from each family member.
Once the pack had scented their final member, the five wolves moved into a hunting formation and followed their Omega into the forest.
There where so many different color trails. Lyall spotted a red smoky trail lead up past the creek and over the hill. Deer. As he continued leading his pack into the forest he noticed several blue trails leading up different trees. Squirrels. Come on focus Lyall, find some rabbits. Papa wants rabbits. As if the small creatures heard his thoughts, he spotted some purple trials leading towards a group of rocks. Lyall let out a soft growl and lowered himself into a crouched position. The wolves behind him began to spread out and circle their meal. He felt a slight nudge on his behind and felt his mother push her pride scent towards him.
The wolves began approaching the rabbit den as quite as whisper. Wait, something’s wrong. Lyall began to growl and search the area for the source of his uneasiness. He saw a black colored scent like a smoke ring surrounding him and his pack. Just like they were doing to the rabbits, except now his family was the prey.
Lyall let out the loudest warning bark his small throat would allow him but it was enough to get his packs attention. His brothers growled in frustration because their Omega just let their prey know they were coming. However, his father, who had the improved hearing of a matured Alpha, heard the hunters that his Omega had sensed. The four Alphas stopped and began to growl and bark threats towards the oncoming predators. Lyall’s mother ran over to him and picked him up with her mouth by the nape of his neck. Who is it? Mama, what is going on! Then he saw them. Ten men in camouflage gear with guns coming down the ridge towards them. He had never been so scared in his life.
His mother carried him over to two logs that over lapped each other and placed him in between and out of sight. She licked him once as if begging, please stay here, and he did.
Soon enough he could hear talking. Papa? They must have changed back. He stayed low and tried to push out his senses beyond his sight to tell what was happening.
Four loud beeps rang through the air. “We have four Alpha’s here, Sir,” came a voice of an unknown woman. “They seem to be hunting. Yes Sir, feral. Roger that.”
“Listen, we are a free shifter family. We bother no one and no one comes near our village. We are legal. I have papers to prove it back at our home. Let my sons go and fetch them and bring them back.” His father’s voice was confident but Lyall could scent fear rolling off him in waves. It made his nose hurt and he let out a small whimper.
“You lot aren’t free!” came another voice, a man’s voice. “You are slaves and pets. All of ya should be put down if it were up to me. Our boss, however, he enjoys the finer things in life and to do that we gotta sell your filthy kind to the highest bidders. Too bad you’re all Alphas though. You don’t nearly fetch as much as those damn Omegas. People love ‘em. They’re much prettier than you lot and they can find your keys for ya when ya lose ‘em. “The man laughed at his own stupid joke and then spit a brownish liquid onto the ground.
Lyall did not like this man. He wanted to growl bite down on his throat for calling his kind filth. The Omega was so focused on what was going on in front of him, he didn’t realize a hand grabbing ahold of his middle and pulling him up out of his hiding spot.
No, no, no. Oh God they are gonna sell me and I’ll never see Mama, Papa, Jason, or Lucas again! He thrashed and wiggled his body against the strong hands but they squeezed tight on his ribcage and made him whine. He yelped and tuned his head to bite the fat arse hole’s hand and made a satisfied growl when he made contact with his sharp puppy teeth.
“You li’l bastard!” The man holding him cried out but still didn’t drop him to the ground. The now bleeding hand came up over his muzzle and held his jaw together causing Lyall to whine and kick his back legs at the mean man. As soon as you let go of my mouth I swear I’m gonna bite you in the balls so hard!
“Oh God, No!” His mother screamed and ran towards her young pup. Before she could even get two steps a loud bang echoed through the forest and his mother hit the ground with a dart sticking out of her naked back.
Lyall renewed his attempt at getting his muzzle free because now he wanted to bite the man who shot his mother in the balls first.
“Scan him Jones,” the lady in charge said with a hint of intrigue in her voice.
The man held up a black box with a glowing blue light under Lyall’s tail, near his scent gland. The box beeped twice then was returned to his pocket. “Well, well looks like we got ourselves an Omega, and just a puppy. Ohhh, this is gonna be a great payday.” The woman pulled out a radio, “Sir, yes, we have an Omega pup here as well. Yes, sir.” She hung up and within a blink of an eye she pulled out her dart gun and shot the three standing Alphas. They dropped one by one and Lyall watched as his father went still and the fear in his eyes died out. Papa! Damn it. I have to change back, I can’t wait until morning. Stupid body. Why did I lead us out here? It’s my fault. Oh God, I’m so sorry Papa!
“Okay gentleman, the boss wants us to take the four Alphas to the Mount Lythe compound for labor and the Omega to the Kirkmoore Square for the auction. Come on lads, these bodies ain’t gonna move themselves.”
“What should I do with this little brat, ma’am?” The fat man said as he held the squirming puppy in his arms. Fuck you! Damn it let go of me and I’ll show you brat!
“Sedate him but make sure and don’t injure him. The better he looks the more he’ll sell for. It may cause problems that he’s feral raised, so we want our little Omega to look ridiculously adorable. Maybe we can cheat some old lady out of a pretty penny for this cute little thing.” The laughter that came from the hunters was not kind.
“Good night little puppy. When you wake up, you’ll have a new master to teach you how to behave properly to your superiors.” Lyall felt a sharp pain in his neck and before he could whine darkness took him.